Page 19 of Shattered On Ice

Unknown: Hey club bestie, it’s meeeee, Callum! I’m so glad you gave me your number. I have been obsessed with finding out what happened with you and that big jock at Lucious. You disappeared, and he was gone when you got back, but you said nothing. NOTHING! Come on! Give a girl a break and just TELL ME.

Unknown: I swear, every time I go to Lucious, some kind of crazy, unbelievable drama plays out before me. It’s like my very own K-drama in real life. I love it! The last time I went, this huge, gorgeous guy danced with my friend, Taylor, and another huge, gorgeous ANIMAL of a man came and inserted himself between them with a literal growl. GIRL! *fire emoji* Can you even imagine? It was THE BEST.

Unknown: Anyway, I’m in Midtown picking up supplies, but I’m about to grab dinner, and you mentioned living nearby. So here I am, inviting you to Brick and Barley, this super cute place I love. It has lots of small plates, really tasty cocktails, and pretty people. You’ll love it.

Unknown: And bitch, you can't say no. I’m hangry, and you won’t like what happens if you deny me gossip in this state.

Unknown: Besides, I need all the details, and the best way to get them is straight from the source, so you have to come. Pretty please, with a cherry on top?

I’m really glad I stopped running to fully take in everything that Callum sent over in a rush. That was a lot. But I kind of love his insistence and familiarity. It lets me be as outrageous and dramatic as I need to be, and the best part is, he doesn't know a damn thing about Westin’s job or why we would need to keep this on the down-low.

Knight: Callum, my fairy godbrother! You will never believe me when I tell you. Send me the address. I can meet you in about an hour with all the details.

I spot Callum immediately when I enter Brick and Barley, which is pretty cute, if industrial farm-to-table design with an Asian-fusion menu can be called cute? It shouldn't work, but somehow it does. Callum is looking down at his phone, which gives me a moment to study him outside of the club to get a good feel for him. He’s in a light blue chambray shirt worn unbuttoned over a white tank top, with peach and white striped seersucker shorts that are a little on the short side for my preferences, but look amazing on him, and white Sperry Topsiders without socks. His wrists are loaded with gold bangle bracelets, layered necklaces adorn his neck, and I can even see the twinkling of gems in his earlobes. He’s fresh and summery, showing off a killer tan, and has perfectly wavy blond hair that just barely tucks behind his ears, but is currently falling over his face.

He looks up to brush his hair out of his eyes and spots me. A delighted grin splits his pretty face, making the highlighter on his cheeks shimmer and the sparkle shadow on his eyes dance.

“Knight with a K! Hey, honey, so good to see you.” He envelops me in a hug and a cloud of hypnotic fragrance that leaves me breathless.

“Hi!” I say, accepting his hug. “Thank you for the invite. I needed the distraction.”

“Oh, do tell!” he says with shameless glee. “Our table is ready. Let’s head there now and gush about all the details.” He signals to the hostess with a smile, and she leads us back to a table.

Once we’re settled with drinks ordered, Callum levels me with a serious expression.

I laugh before he can prompt me. “I know, you want details. How much is too much?” I ask, completely aware of the parts I want to keep to myself, but wondering just how much Callum wants to know.

Callum blinks rapidly and gestures at me. “All of it, of course. Tell me about the big guy. Had you met him before, or was that the first time? You looked awfully comfortable with each other for just meeting.” He purses his lips and drags a finger through his hair and around his ear.

I nod. “I know him. We were in the same group that night, but I didn't expect what happened. He’s actually my brother’s best friend. They work together.” I’m carefully wording my story. I know Rook is pretty quiet about being a professional hockey player, and I want Westin to have his anonymity as well.

Callum gasps and slaps a hand over his mouth. “You floozy!” he mock-shouts at me when he’s recovered. “How dare you make out like a horny teenager at a club with the hottest man alive who happens to be your brother’s best friend?” He laughs, a full-bodied sound that doesn't match his smaller stature, but is all joy and lacks any self-consciousness. “For real though, you say it like it’s a bad thing.”

My smile drops, the stifling weight of the situation settling over me. “It is, though. Rook—that’s my brother—has a hard boundary about his friends, and I have a bad track record of crossing it.”

“Oh, please! No one can blame you for getting a little horny off poppers and wanting to make out in a club,” Callum dismisses with a manicured hand. “I’ve done it a million times.”

“It drove a massive wedge between us the last time,” I persist, leaning toward him with urgency. “Westin isn’t just a guy my brother works with. He’s Rook’s best friend. Their friendship is special to him. Getting between them wouldn't just be uncomfortable.” I fight back the memories of my brother’s hurt clawing up my throat. “Rook would see it as a total betrayal.”

“Honey, you can’t let a little thing like your brother’s friendships stop you from finding true love. Or, at the very least, getting your back cracked a few times to get him out of your system if it’s not a forever kind of thing.” Callum sits back and accepts the drink the server sets before him. It’s pink with a sugared rim and a flower on the edge that he immediately pops behind his ear before taking a sip.

My drink is just as decked out. I ordered a gin and tonic with that pretty color-changing gin, so it’s purple and has a butterfly pea flower on the rim. It’s good, too.

What Callum said about getting Westin out of my system is beating against my temples, insisting it's a great idea. Must be the heat and dehydration. I should order some water as well.

“We have good chemistry, and we’re both attracted to each other,” I murmur almost to myself, but Callum hears.

“Chemistry? You could have set the lab on fire, you were so combustible together. I felt that shit in my soul.” He shakes his head. “I’m only like seventy-five percent jealous. Twenty-five percent of me is so happy for you. I wish I liked anyone other than big, burly men.” He sighs a defeated sound.

“What’s stopping you from finding exactly what you want?” I ask, happy to divert the attention to him. I’m much better in a listening role. I have more confidence and authority in a therapist type setting than I do when I come to a conversation as myself with my own baggage.

Callum beams, perfectly thrilled to talk about himself.

“So, there’s this guy, one of my very best friends. His name is Tucker, and he’s beautiful. The sweetest soul and a total country boy, if you can even imagine that for me?” He gestures at himself before continuing. “We’ve known each other for years. I actually met him at a club, just like you! How cute, I love that for me. Anyway, he’s a brooding sweetheart who has the same taste in men that I do, so he doesn't want me even though I want him.” He pauses and considers me for a moment. “He would eat up your big jock, that’s for sure. That man is yummy.”

I cackle. “I’m sorry for laughing. I just love how animated you are. It’s incredibly refreshing and a lot of fun. Thank you for helping me process this situation with laughter rather than the anxiety spiral I was spinning in when you texted.”

“Darling, I’m so sorry you were dealing with that!” He reaches over and places a hand on my arm, his fingernails painted a sky blue that matches his chambray shirt.